In an eerie similarity to the previous time the Jets played the Patriots in New England, the Jets on Wednesday suddenly announced a season-ending injury to a key player.

Starting right tackle Damien Woody, who returned to the lineup last week after missing three games following arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, has been placed on injured reserve with a torn left Achilles tendon.

It has to be a devastating blow for the veteran, who’s worked so hard to get back onto the field from his knee injury; plus he’s a former Patriots player.

Rex Ryan said Monday that Woody looked like he was “a little wobbly’’ walking around two days after the Jets’ first-round win over the Colts. Now we know why. Woody apparently hurt himself on the Jets’ last drive in that game, but had no idea what the injury was until the team doctors checked it out.

Ryan said Woody was scheduled for surgery later Wednesday.

Ryan’s announcement about Woody’s injury was reminiscent of the Friday before the Jets were to play the Patriots on Dec. 6. That day, starting safety Jim Leonhard suffered a broken leg in practice and was lost for the season. Leonhard was the quarterback in the secondary, like a coach on the field. The Jets secondary was torched by Tom Brady in that game.

Woody will be replaced by Wayne Hunter, who started three games late in the regular season, so he should be seasoned enough and ready to fill in. Hunter played well in Woody’s absence.

Wide receiver Patrick Turner was elevated from the practice squad to the regular roster to take Woody’s place. Former Penn State guard Dennis Landolt was signed to the practice squad.

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Jets starting RG Brandon Moore didn’t practice after tweaking his back in the weight room. Moore and Ryan said it’s a non-issue and that he’ll play.

WR Brad Smith, who injured his groin in the Colts game, didn’t practice; Ryan said he expects Smith to play.